Rotary engine.



J. WESTERLUND & C. MARD.

BDTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED APB. 1, 190B.

Patented Nov. 3, 1908.

J. WESTERLUND & C. MARI). ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLIGATION FILED un. 1, 190e.

903,036. Patented Nov. 3, 190s.

3 BHBBTB-BHEET 2.

J. WESTERLUND & C. MARD.

ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLIOATION FILED Amm. moa.

Patented Nov. 3, 1908.

BSHEETS-SHEET 3.

encina# JULIUS WESTERLUND AND CARL MARD, OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA.

ROTARY ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 3, 1908.

Application filed April 1l 190B. Serial No. 424,530.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JULIUS VVESTERLUND and CARL Main), citizens of Finland, and subjects of the Czar of Russia, residing at Birmingham, in the county of Jefferson and State of Alabama, have invented new and useful Improvements in Rotary Engines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to rotary engines, the object of the same being to provide a simple, effective and practical engine of the class described adapted to be 'driven by Huid pressure such as steam, air or gas, the engine being especially adapted by means of the construction hereinafter' described to maintain a practically continuous torque on the shaft which delivers the power of the engine.

A further object of the invention is to so combine and arrange the parts of the engine that the engine, as a whole, is capable of being easily reversed thus adapting the engine to drive in either direction.

The invention also has for its object to provide novel means for mounting the cylinder and the disks and pistons thereof in such manner as to reduce the friction as far as possible and provide for the automatic lubrication of the parts which are subjected to the greatest wear.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel means for producing fluid tight joints between the cylinder and moving parts contained therein to prevent leakage around the ]oints.

With the above and other objects in view, the nature of which will more fully appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more fully described, illustrated and claimed.

ln the accompanying drawing Figure 1 is a horizontal diametrical section through a rotary engine constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross section through the same on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 3 is a similar section taken on the same line but looking in the opposite direction. Fig. 4 is a diametrical section through one of the piston carriers or disks. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the valve sleeve. Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9 are cross sections through the valve sleeve taken on the lines 6 6, 7 7, 8 8 and 9 9, respectively, of Fig. 5. Fig. 10 is a detail section through one of the disksf showing one of the outer packing blocks or strips thereof. Fig. 11 is a cross section taken at ri ht angles to Fig. 10 illustrating the same eature. Fig. 12 is a plan view of one of the packing blocks partly broken away in section. Fig. 13 is an inner end view of the end bearing adjacent to the reversing mechanism. Figs. 14 and 15 are dia 'rammatic views illustrating different positions of the parts during the cycle of operation. Fig. 16 is a sectional view of a modified form of reversing lever and connections.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates the shaft of the engine, the same being stationary at all times. The said shaft is hollow or tubular, being provided with a central longitudinal bore 2 and having live steam ports 3, 1, 5 and 6 leading outward there from and in the preferred embodiment of the invention, arranged in a longitudinal series or in longitudinal alinement with each other as shown in Fig. 1.

Fitting around the tubular shaft l is a rotary valve sleeve 7 which is provided at one end with a fiange 8, the latter being cut away for a. portion of its circun'iference as illustrated in Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive to provide oppositely arranged shoulders 9 and 10, the purpose of which will hereinafter appear. The flange S abuts at its outer surface against a correspondin abutment flan `e 11 formed on the end o the shaft 1 whi e beyond the flange 11 the shaft is provided with a reduced extension 12 which is iixedly connected by means of a key 13 to a bearing head 14 in the forni of a disk which works in a corresponding recess in one of the heads 15 of a multiple cylinder, the opposite head of which is indicated at 16. The bearing head 14 forms a journal upon which the cylinder` comprising the heads 15 and 16 revolves and it will be noted that the cylinder has an axis eccentric to the axis of the shaft 1, the degree of eccentricity being governed by the position of the bearing head 11 with respect to the shaft 1 as indicated at right hand end of Fig. 1. The head 15 is provided with a central driving shaft 17 which is keyed into the head 15 as shown at 18 so that the rotary motion of the cylinder 15 is imparted to the shaft 17 from which the power may be belted or taken off in any approved manner.

The cylinder at its o posite end is provided with a relatively large bore in which is fitted a bushing 19 which revolves upon the inwardly extending cylindrical part 2() of an end bearing 21 which may be in the forni of a pedestal 22. The cylinder is supported. at its opposite end by mounting the shaft 1T in a bearing 23 which may also be carried by a pedestal. The bearings 21 and 23 may be connected to a suitable base or bed plate upon which the engine, as a whole is supported.

24 designates a packing ringl let into a recess in one end of the cylinder to form a fluid tight joint between said end of the cylinder and the adjacent bearing 21. The head 16 of the cylinder is also provided with teeth 25 preferably of the worin-type. to

enable a suitable governor to be geared to the rotary cylinder of the engine. This governor is not shown.

The cylinder is of sectional construction as best illustrated in Fig. 1, wherein it will be understood that the head 15 is provided with an inwardly extending flange 26 and the head 1G is provided with a corresponding inwardly extending flange 27. Between the flanges 2G and 27 there is arranged an intermediate section 28 of the cylinder and all of said parts are connected to form a multiple cylinder by means of' bolts 29 which are inserted through circumferential fianges 30 with which each of said parts is provided.

The multiple cylinder illustrated in Fig. 1 comprises four chambers or cylinders and in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the intermediate section 2S is provided with an inwardly extending wall 31 while the walls 32 and 33 lying at opposite sides of the wall 31 are formed of separate rings or annular plates as shown, the saine being clamped and firmly held between the flanges 30 by means of the bolts 29. In this way the cylinder as a whole is divided into a plurality of compartments or individual cylinders in which the piston carrier or disks and the pistons carried thereby operate. A piston carrier or disk is employed in connection with each of said compartments or individual cylinders, as shown in Fior. 1 and by reference to Figs. 1 and 2 it w1ll be seen that each of said disks indicated at 34 is mounted directly on the v alve sleeve 7. Adjacent to its peri hery each disk is provided with a cylindrical socket 35 in which is mounted an oscillatory' cylindrical plug 36 having a slot 37 therein through which slides the inner portion of a piston 38 the outer end of which is fastened to the cylinder by securing the outer end of said plston in a groove or recess 39 formed in the inner wall of the cylinder as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the side edges of said` piston fitting in grooves 40 in the adjacent inner surfaces of the side Walls of the cylinder, as shown in Fig. 1, thus preventing leakage of the steam or other expansive fluid past the piston. Just inside of the cylindrical recess 35, each disk is provided with a cavity 41 to receive the inner end of the piston 3S and admit of the inward and outward movements thereof and also the lateral or swinging movement of' the inner end of the piston as indicated in the diagran'nnatie views, Figs. 14 and 15. lt will thus be seen that the piston is carried by the cylinder and as it has a sliding connection with the adjacent disk, the latter is also carried around with the piston and cylinder. It may be noted that where four disks and pistons are employed, they are arranged so that the pistons lie approximately 9()O apart, this being done in order to obtain a practically continuous torque. At one side of the cylinder, veach disk lies in close proximity to but preferably just out of actual contact therewith as indicated in Fig. 2. In its opposite sides each disk is provided with packing rings 42 which are let into the corresponding annular grooves therein as indicated in Fig. 1, openings 43 being formed between the recesses to receive cxpansible springs 44 which operate to press the packing rings 42 outward in contact with the adjacent walls of the cylindrical space in which the disk moves.

By reference to Figs. 2, l0, l1 and 12, it will also be observed that the disk is provided in its periphery with packing blocks 45 to obtain a fluid tight joint with the wall of the cylinder in the manner indicated in Figs. 2, 14 and 15, to prevent the steam or expansible fluid from passing to the opposite side of the piston 38. As shown in Fig. 12, each block comprises overlapping sections 46 and 47, the overlapping sections being such as to break the joint between the sections while the sections are forced longitudinally in opposite directions by means of a spring 4S surrounding a guide or stay pin 49 connected to one of the sections. Each block is also pressed outwardly into a radial direction by means of a coil spring 50 set in a recess in the disk and underlying said block as shown in Figs. 10 and 11. The side packing rings 42 are notched or slotted as shown in Fig. 2 so that the end portions of the blocks 45 project through the side packing rings and abut against the inner walls of the cylindrical space. This forms a fluid tight joint between the disk and the walls of the cylindrical space and prevents the steam or other fluid from getting by the piston. The degree of projection of the packing blocks 45 is such that atleast two of said blocks always contact at the same time with the inner wall of the cylinder.

A The live steam ports 51, 52, 53 and 54 of the valve sleeve 7 are arranged En)V apart as shown in Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 and opposite each live steam port there is arranged an exhaust. port 55. By such arrangement of ports the steam is admitted through the longitudinally alined ports `3, 4, 5 and G of the shaft 1 and admitted at regular intervals to the compartments of the cylinder, one after the other, and the exhaust steam passing into the ports 55, enters circular channels 5G formed in the opposite sides of each disk and passes through openings 5T bored through the bodies of the disks until all of the exhaust enters a common exhaust passage 57 in the head 16 of the cylinder and is deflected laterally outward through an exhaust orifice 58.

The end disk 34 is provided with a laterally projecting pin 59 which moves into contact withA one of the shoulders 9 or 10 of the valve sleeve 7 according to the direction in which the engine is to be run and in accordance with the position of the reverse lever and connecting mechanism to be described.

In order to provide for reversing the engine a valve sleeve is provided at the end opposite the lange 8 with a toothed portion (S0 and arranged adjacent thereto is a spur gear Gl mounted on a slidable shaft ('12 journaled in the end bearing 21 as shown in Fig. l. The huh of the pinion 6l is provided with a cone face 63 adapted to tit snugly against a corresponding seat as shown in Fig. l to prevent the escape of steam when the pinion (il is moved. to the position shown. in Fig. l, where it is normally held hy means of a spring 64 interposed between the outer wall of the end bearing 2l and the adjacent end of a reversing lever 65. The reversing lever G5 is mounted fast on the shaft (l2 and carries a thumb latch lever 66 the point ot which is adapted to engage in one of a pair of openings 6T in a rack segment 68 secured to a fixed part of the machine. By moving` the latch (36 out of engagement with the rack segment 63, the level' may be swung through practically a halt' circle as indicated in Fig. 13 and loy pushing the lever (35 inward at the same time and throwing the pinion 61 into engagement with the teeth 60, the valve sleeve 7 may be turned partially around the shaft 1 as far as the pin 59 will permit hy coming in contact with one of the shoulders 9 or 10 thus reversing the inlet and exhaust ports of the engine.

The head 15 of the cylinder' vis provided with an enlarged circular recess 69 to receive the flanges 8 and 11 ofthe shaft and valve sleeve and permit of the relative movement of said parts as the sleeve revolves.

By reference to Figs. 14 and 15 it will he seen that in Fig. 14 the live steam port of the valve sleeve is just coming into register with the corresponding port in the shaft the latter being stationary. As these two ports pass hy each other steam is admitted to the small space between the disk and cylinder und between. the piston 38 and the packing hlock 45. The steam in expanding acts against the piston 38 the cylinder and disk together with the piston heing driven in the direction indicated b y' arrows in said. figures, wherein it will he seen that the space continues to increase thus providing for the expansion of the steam or other liuid. Under the arrangement shown in the diagrammatic views, Figs. 14 and l5. T0 represents the inlet passage and T1 the exhaust passage of the disk. hut it will he understood that when the reversing mechanism is manipulated. the ports 7l heroine the inlet ports while the remaining ports T0 carry oill the. exhaust.

ln` order to prevent the steam from passing along the sleeve 7 from one piston to an other. packing rings T2 are inserted in the outer surt'acc of the said sleeve as shown in Fig. 1. packing ring Tl is also inserted in the end ol the sleeve so as to hear against thc ilange l1 und a corresponding packing ring Tl is set into the opposite ring of the sleeve and arranged to hear against a collar 7.3 mounted fast on the shaft l as shown in lfig. l.

instead ot' the reversing lever arrangement shown in Fig. l. the modified arrangement shown in Fig. lf3 may he employed wherein it will he observed that the reversing lever (33 is provided with a huh 7V which passes through a hearing TT connected with the end hearing 21. the shalt fr! heing keyed into the huh Tl', as shown su that thc sha'tl l'ri is caused to turn with the lever 15. Pivot ally connected to the lever (33 at the point Trl is a 'Ehumh Til the inner end of which has a jointed connection at F() with a collar 81 tast on the shaft (SQ. the spring 64 heing interposed lic-tween said collar Hl and the henring 2l. Connected to the lever T9 is a latch titi in the torn] ot a pin adapted to enter either oni` ot' a pair of notches` in the rack segment Fil tor holding said lever in either oi' ils two cxtreme positions. to cllc-i thc l'cA vcrsing ot' the engine as ahove explained. The disk heing concentric with the shaft and the cylinder eccentric thereto the pressure ot' the steam against` the piston will cause the cylinder to turn and as the disk and piston are attached to the cylinder, they are likewise caused lo rotate simultaneously therewith. The piston being 'adapted to slide and also rock relatively to they disk. the leverage is increased progr ssivcly 'from the time that the steam enters the steam space therehy allowingthe steam to expand fully and get the Jfull hcnelit olt such cxparreiem.

llaving thus described the invention, what ive claim iszwl. Yln a rotary engine,4 a ported shaft. a disk concentric thereto and provided with steam ports leading from its center, a cylinder eccentric to .said shaft. a piston rigidly attached to one fit' said parts and jointed to the other part. a ported valve sleeve upon which the disk is mounted. and means lor moving said sleeve to direct the steam to either of the disk ports.

L. In a rotary engine, a ported shaft, a disk concentric thereto and provided With steam ports leading from its center, a cylinder eccentric to said shaft, a piston rigidly attached to one of said parts and jointed to the other part. a ported valve sleeve surronnding said shaft and having the disk mounted thereon, and means for shifting said sleeve to direct steam to either of the disk ports.

2. In a rotary engine, a ported shaft, a disk concentric thereto and provided with steam ports leading from its center, a cylinder eccentric to said shaft, a piston rigidly attached to one of said parts and jointed to the other part, a ported valve sleeve snrronnding said shaft and having the disk mounted thereon, and means for shifting said sleeve to direct steam to either of the disk ports including a pinion mo fable into and out of engagen'ient with a toothed memlier on said sleeve.

4. ln a rotary engine, a ported shaft, a disk concentric thereto and provided With steam ports leading from its center, a cylinder eccentric to said shaft, a piston rigidly attached to one of said parts and jointed to the yther part` a ported valve sleeve snrrounding said shaft and having the disk mounted thereon, and means for shifting said sleeve to direct steam to either of the disk ports including a pinion movable into and out of engagement with a toothed memher on said sleeve, and a reversing lever operatively connected With said pinion.

5. ln a rotary engine, a ported shaft, a disk concentric thereto and provided with st lam ports leading from its center, a cylinder eccentric to said shaft, a piston rigidly attached to one of said parts and jointed to the other part, a ported valve sleeve sui'- romnling said shaft and having the disk mounted thereon, and means for shifting said sleeve to direct steam to either of the disk ports including a pinion movable into and out of engagement With a toothed member on said sleeve` and means for shifting and turning said pinion.

o. In a rotary engine, a ported shaft, a disk concentric thereto and provided with steam ports leading from its center, a cylinder eccentric to said shaft, a piston rigidly attached to one of said parts and jointed to the other part., a movable valve sleeve adapted to direct steam to either of said ports, op;iositely-arranged shoulders on said sleeve, and a projection on the disk with which said shoulders coperatie.

7. In a rotary engine, a ported shaft, a

disk concentric thereto and provided with steam ports leading from its center, a. cylinder eccentric to said shaft, a piston rigidly attached to one of said parts and jointed to the other part, a movable valve sleeve adapted to direct steam to either of said ports, a flange on said sleeve mutilated to form opposite shoulders, and a projection on the disk with which said shoulders c0- operate.

S. In a -rotary engine, a ported shaft, a disk concentric thereto, steam ports leading from the center of said disk to the periphery thereof, a cylinder eccentric to said shaft, a piston rigidly attached to one of said parts and jointed to the other part, a movable valve sleeve adapted to direct steam to either of said ports, a bearing head concentric with the cylinder and eccentric to said shaft, and a concentric bearing for said head in the cylinder.

9. In a rotary engine, a ported shaft, a disk concentric thereto, steam ports leading from the center of the disk outward to the periphery thereof, a cylinder eccentric to said shaft, a piston rigidly attached to one of said parts and jointed to the other part, a movable valve sleeve adapted to direct steam to either of said ports, and a bearing head having an eccentric relation to Said shaft and a concentric relation to the cylinder, the disk heilig recessed for the passage of the exhaust and said bearing head being exposed to the action of the exhaust.

10. In a rotary engine, a ported shaft, disks concentric thereto and provided With steam ports leading from the center outward, a sectional cylinder eccentric to said shaft, cylinder Walls clamped between the meeting edges of the cylinder sections, pistons rigidly attached to the cylinder and having a jointed connection with the disks, and a movable valve sleeve adapted to direct steam to the disk ports.

11. In a rotary engine, a ported shaft, a disk concentric thereto and provided with steam ports leading from its center, a cylinder eccentric to said shaft, a piston rigidly attached to one of said parts and jointed to the other part, side packing rings let into recesses in the disk, and expansible packing blocks extending across the periphery of the disk and intersecting said rings.

In testimony whereof We aix our signatures in presence of two Witnesses.

IVitnesses:

F. L. WILLIS, A. R. HOLMS. 

